Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
1 / 10

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A casual waterfront restaurant on Stearns Wharf, serving the freshest seafood straight from local fishermen with stunning ocean views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A casual waterfront restaurant on Stearns Wharf, serving the freshest seafood straight from local fishermen with stunning ocean views.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"You can’t beat the setting—ocean views, the sound of the waves, and the smell of the grill in the air."

TIP

Inquire about prices

Always ask about prices for premium items beforehand to avoid unexpected costs.

Try daily specials

Locals recommend trying the daily specials for the best dining experience.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

$$$

Phone

(805) 966-6676

Address

230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Oceanfront Dining Experience

Oceanfront Dining Experience

Savor fresh seafood with stunning ocean and mountain views from this picturesque waterfront setting on Stearns Wharf.

Fresh, Direct-from-Fishermen Seafood

Fresh, Direct-from-Fishermen Seafood

Experience the freshest catches, including unique items like uni shooters and abalone, prepared with secret family recipes.

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Signature Lobster Roll

Signature Lobster Roll

Indulge in a generously portioned lobster roll, praised for its fresh, flavorful lobster and minimal filler.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🦀 This was overwhelming from start to finish, but in a good way! We tried #spidercrab for the first time at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. We originally came for sea urchin, but they were out. At $17.95, the local spider crabs they had here ranged from 4 to 8 lbs. We ended up getting a 7 lb crab, which was plenty for our party of 4. The main difference is the shells are way tougher to crack, the...
@jamesandmark
4.9K likes • 171.9K views

Inquire about prices

Always ask about prices for premium items beforehand to avoid unexpected costs.

Try daily specials

Locals recommend trying the daily specials for the best dining experience.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company 📍 Santa Barbara, CA #foodtiktok #visitcalifornia #visitsantabarbara #shellfish #foodchallenge #lafood #lafoodiegirl #foodblogger #foodreview #seafoodboil #seafoodlover #crab #crablegs🦀 #uni #santabarbaracalifornia #seaurchin #boxcrab #pier #oceanlife #oceansidefood #foodtour
@hungrywithannie
107 likes • 6K views
Sonny is a strawberry monster 🥰♥️ we had so much fun in Santa Barbara we stopped by so many places! #santabarbara #santabarbaracounty #santabarbarafishmarket #santabarbarashellfishcompany
@dalailaelsie
38 likes • 535 views

Plan for a wait

Expect a wait, especially during peak times, and consider the take-out window option.

Specify seating preference

When signing in, clearly state your preferred seating, such as 'outside, railing'.

quick lunch at Shellfish company Santa Barbara #makeitcinematic #filmemulation #cineprint16 #sonyzve10 #basic #progress
@themargavibesla
6 likes • 153 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Inquire about prices

Always ask about prices for premium items beforehand to avoid unexpected costs.

Try daily specials

Locals recommend trying the daily specials for the best dining experience.

Plan for a wait

Expect a wait, especially during peak times, and consider the take-out window option.

Specify seating preference

When signing in, clearly state your preferred seating, such as 'outside, railing'.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is praised for its incredibly fresh seafood and unbeatable waterfront views, making it a must-visit for seafood lovers. While the quality is high and the location is spectacular, some find the prices to be on the higher side, particularly for premium items. Service is generally noted as friendly and attentive.

"This place is a gem right on the pier. You can’t beat the setting—ocean views, the sound of the waves, and the smell of the grill in the air. It’s casual, but the food is anything but ordinary.

I had the cioppino, and everything was cooked perfectly— well-seasoned, and full of flavor. The lobster roll was another standout: buttery, generous on the lobster, and hit the spot.

Service was quick and friendly. It’s the kind of place where the quality speaks for itself—no frills, just really solid seafood done right.

Perfect spot for a laid-back lunch or sunset dinner with views."

thaoquan

"The food was great but I wish I could get the whole crab 🦀 because I paid 80$ for it. The body was empty so I could only eat the legs. I’m Asian and we love the whole crab. It was delicious and had a sweetness in it. The 6 pieces of sea urchin and raw scallops were fine. The lobster taco was also delicious but not so much taste. With a little bit salt and sauce it became much better. Chris was fabulous and asked us many times if we needed anything. He also explained everything and we were happy to sit there. It was also very cold to sit outside. We paid 225$ in total"

Jannicke Tran

"Our friends highly recommended Shellfish Santa Barbara Company, and it definitely lived up to the hype! This place has some amazing seafood, including special treats like uni and box crab. We had a wonderful experience, enjoying delicious food with a fantastic backdrop of the boats, the beautiful Santa Barbara beach, and the mountains. Our server was also great, adding to the overall enjoyment. It's a must-visit if you're a seafood lover!"

Cheryl Hu

What People Like

Fresh, high-quality seafood
Spectacular ocean and mountain views
Casual, laid-back atmosphere

What People Dislike

Can be pricey
Potential for long waits

Frequently Asked Questions

It's known for its incredibly fresh seafood sourced directly from local fishermen and its stunning waterfront location on Stearns Wharf.

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While the prices reflect the quality and prime location, some find it pricey, especially for premium seafood. It's recommended to ask about prices for certain items.

Google Review+1

Highlights include the lobster roll, cioppino, fresh oysters, uni dishes, and live crabs. The lobster pasta is also highly recommended.

TikTokGoogle Review+3

Yes, outdoor seating along the railing offers great views. It's recommended to specify your seating preference when signing in.

Google Review

Visiting during less busy times can help secure reservations more easily, but expect a wait during peak hours.

Google Review

Yes, a walk-up window is available for ordering seafood to enjoy on the pier benches or picnic tables.

Best Restaurants in Santa BarbaraGoogle Review

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Located at the end of the Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is as fresh and simple as it gets, with just a handful of seats inside and out. Its small size means it fills up quickly, leaving an overflow of hungry patrons waiting outside. Cut the wait by ordering your seafood lunch or dinner from the walk-up window, and eat on one of the pier’s benches or picnic tables with the coastal breeze in your hair.

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. was founded on the pier in 1980 as a place for local fishermen to sell their fresh catches. Slowly, they started taking the seafood being sold and turning it into clam chowder, crab cakes, and lobster pasta until it became a full-fledged restaurant. Our recommendation is to bypass their regular menu and go straight for the daily specials instead.

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Seafood just ain’t cheap but it can be cheaper if chefs pull off some moves like breaking down whole fish or buying direct from fisherman, both of which happen at Santa Barbara Seafood Company. Now the focus here is shellfish, so you won’t see any whole bluefin tunas getting turned into sushi but you best believe they get their shellfish direct from the fisherman; it is a cornerstone of the business concept. Started in 1980 by Chef Adam White’s dad, Santa Barbara Shellfish Co was originally a shellfish market before becoming a full service restaurant.

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Starting out in 1980 as a market for shellfish and fish and a place to sell crab, Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. is now a full-fledged restaurant near the entrance of the wharf. The restaurant prides itself on offering the very best in seafood and preparing it with old family recipes and advice from the fishermen they’ve encountered on all their travel. When you visit Santa Barbara Shellfish Co., try the New England style clam chowder, the steamed local crab that’s served with coleslaw and onion rings, or the fresh lobster tacos.

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Located at the very end of Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is a must-try for fresh, local seafood with unbeatable ocean views. This iconic spot specializes in shellfish-forward dishes like Dungeness crab, hearty clam chowder and the flavorful uni (sea urchin) pasta, showcasing Santa Barbara’s renowned seafood bounty. Casual, cozy and perched right over the water, it’s the perfect place to savor some of the region’s best seafood while soaking up the salty breeze and scenic coastline.

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(And you can't get any closer to the ocean.) At the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, you can pick your lunch right out of the tanks. Established in 1980, this tiny restaurant on the pier began as a shellfish shop before popular demand (and secret family recipes) transformed it into the bustling eatery it is today. Their menu includes all types of shellfish but live abalones, crabs and lobsters - many locally sourced - are the real stars.

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You’ll find this beloved no-frills restaurant at the end of Stearn’s Wharf, which features seasonal, local shellfish straight from the fishermen who hauled it in. In addition to the spectacular view and reasonably-priced menu, locals particularly love the restaurant’s lobster bisque, rock crab, and California spiny lobster. The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company has been in the same location for 40 years, so you know it’s gotta be good!

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company offers delicious urchin among its many seafood choices. Perched right above the Pacific Ocean on Santa Barbara’s historic Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. started out as a buying station for shellfish pulled out of nearby waters. Today, it’s a popular restaurant whose kitchen turns the freshest catch from local fishermen into tasty treasures to be devoured by avid seafood lovers.

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. was founded on the pier in 1980 as a place for local fishermen to sell their freshest catches of the day. Slowly, they started taking the seafood being sold and cooking it into clam chowder, crab cakes, and lobster pasta until SB Shelling became the full-fledged restaurant that it is today. We wish we could eat their uni-topped scallops every afternoon for the rest of our lives.

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This restaurant was started in 1980 as a buying point for local Santa Barbara fish and oysters and a place to sell crabs. Today Santa Barbara Shellfish has become one of the city’s most beloved local establishments for its range of seafood favorites. The restaurant menu includes all kinds of oysters, but many local sources of live abalone, crab, and lobster are real stars.

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Situated at the end of the pier at Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company takes pride in the fresh seafood you can see from their live tanks. At times, you even have the chance to witness fishermen bring in live crabs straight from their boats!. For a delectable seafood meal with picturesque views, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company doesn’t disappoint.

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If you’re looking for a casual and authentic seafood experience, check out Santa Barbara Shellfish Company at Stearns Wharf. This family-run business started as a wholesale lobster company in 1980 but later expanded to serve other types of shellfish as well. You can watch them cook your order right in front of you at their open kitchen counter.

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. literally started as a buying station for local fishermen and quickly transformed into the seafood staple that stands today. This family run restaurant serves fresh clam chowder, crab cakes, lobster pasta, and more. Don’t sleep on the specials - they change them up daily and feature the freshest catch of the day.

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What’s a visit to the Santa Barbara boardwalk without buying crab and shellfish delicacies. The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is an authentic crab place on the wharf and must be in the places you visit. This outlet has been in existence since 1979 and was initially a station where abalone and lobster were sold.

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Located at the Stearns Wharf within walking distance of our hotel. Initially established in 1979 as a buying station for local lobster and abalone, Santa Barbara Shellfish evolved into the area expert when it comes to local crustaceans, shrimp, and other seafood specialties. Very affordable fresh fare!

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is a renowned seafood restaurant located in Santa Barbara, California. Situated near Stearns Wharf, this restaurant has been a local favorite for seafood lovers for many years. The interior of Santa Barbara Shellfish Company reflects a casual and laid-back coastal vibe.

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The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company family began on Stearn's Wharf in 1980. Originating as a fresh seafood wholesale operation, we began experimenting with some different cooking ideas. A popular place for lunch, The Shellfish Company specializes in steamed crab, local lobster a…

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Don’t let the outside façade fool you; Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is a seafood tour de force. Before you take a step in the door, the aroma of fresh seafood fills your nose. Located right on the pier, they give you the ultimately sense of straight from the water food.

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has been a mainstay since 1980, with favorite dishes like Dungeness crab, shrimp ceviche, oysters, clams and lobster. The restaurant is popular, so don’t be surprised if there’s a wait. If you’re in a rush, you can always order from the walk-up window.

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230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93109Phone: 805-966-6676 Visit Website. A post shared by Liz (@orangeginger). With the Pacific Ocean next door, it’s not hard to see why the seafood industry is booming in The American Riviera.

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Try the West Coast's freshest seafood at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company at Stearns Wharf. Dine on calamari pasta, cioppino, and Alaskan king crab with soaking in the ocean views. Enjoy outdoor dining on the patio with a firepit.

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